Container carrying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A container carrying apparatus comprises a loop of material, a shoulder strap and a support strap. The loop of material is configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container. The shoulder strap is attached to the loop. A first location of the shoulder strap is attached to a first location of the loop and a second location of the shoulder strap is attached to a second location of the loop. The support strap is attached to the loop and to the shoulder strap. The support strap is attached at opposing ends thereof to the loop and is attached at a location intermediate the opposing ends to a location of the shoulder strap intermediate the first location and the second location of the shoulder strap. Through such attachments, the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap jointly define a receptacle for receiving the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/516,586 filed Oct. 31, 2003 entitled “Lizzard Straps”, having a common applicant herewith.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to container carrying apparatuses and, more particularly, to container carrying apparatuses comprised by a plurality of straps.

BACKGROUND

During routine activities and/or while exercising, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of liquid such as, for example, water. Many people buy bottled water, which can be relatively expensive. A typical size container for bottled water is one-half litre (i.e., about 17 ounces).

Other people prefer to use a refillable container for carrying such liquid. Such refillable containers often hold as much as 32 ounces of fluid or more and have a screw-on top attached to the container. However, these refillable containers are typically much larger than the bottled water containers, which make them difficult and inconvenient to carry to some people. Quite often, such refillable containers can have a diameter as great as 4 inches, which is considerably larger than that of a typical bottled water container.

Therefore, a container carrying apparatus that is relatively inexpensive, simple to manufacture and makes carrying containers convenient would be useful and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of container carrying apparatuses in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein enable containers such as refillable water bottles and refillable containers to be carried in a convenient, simple and inexpensive manner. Such container carrying apparatuses are configured for securely holding such containers and, optionally, for being worn, for example, over a person's shoulder in a similar fashion as a purse or a tote bag. As a result of being able to carry a relatively large volume of liquid in a convenient manner, such container carrying apparatuses enable a person to drink more liquid (e.g., water) while on the go and to keep their hands free.

In one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a container carrying apparatus comprises a loop of material, a shoulder strap and a support strap. The loop of material is configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container. The shoulder strap is attached to the loop. A first location of the shoulder strap is attached to a first location of the loop and a second location of the shoulder strap is attached to a second location of the loop. The support strap is attached to the loop and to the shoulder strap. The support strap is attached at opposing ends thereof to the loop and is attached at a location intermediate the opposing ends to a location of the shoulder strap intermediate the first location and the second location of the shoulder strap whereby the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap jointly define a receptacle for receiving the container.

In another embodiment, a container carrying apparatus comprises a first length of material, a second length of material and a third length of material. The second length of material is attached at a first location thereof to a first location of the first length of material and at a second location thereof to a second location of the first length of material. The third length of material is attached at a first location thereof to a third location of the first length of material, at a second location thereof to a fourth location of the first length of material and at a third location thereof to a third location of the second length of material. Through such attachments, the first length of material defines a loop of material configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container and the combination of lengths of material jointly define a receptacle for receiving the container.

In another embodiment, a container carrying apparatus comprises a container receptacle comprised by a plurality of lengths of material and a carrying strap comprised by at least one of the lengths of material.

Turning now to specific embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, in at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap are made from respective lengths of a webbed material.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a first one of the opposing ends of the support strap is attached at a third location of the loop, a second one of the opposing ends of the support strap is attached at a fourth location of the loop and all of the locations of the loop are spaced from each adjacent one of the locations by approximately a common distance.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the location of the support strap intermediate its opposing ends is approximately equidistant between the opposing ends and the location of the shoulder strap intermediate its first location and its second location is approximately equidistant between its first location and its second location.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a location of attachment is defined where the shoulder strap is attached to the support strap and the shoulder strap intersects the support strap at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the container receptacle includes a first length of material, a second length of material and a third length of material.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the second length of material is attached at a first location thereof to a first location of the first length of material and at a second location thereof to a second location of the first length of material, and the third length of material attached at a first location thereof to a third location of the first length of material, at a second location thereof to a fourth location of the first length of material and at a third location thereof to a third location of the second length of material, whereby the first length of material defines a loop of material configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container and the combination of the lengths of material jointly define the container receptacle.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, all of the locations of the first length of material are spaced from each adjacent one of the locations by approximately a common distance.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the third location of the third length of material is approximately equidistant between the first and the second locations of the third length of material and the third length of material is attached at its third location to the second length of material at a location of the second length of material approximately equidistant between the first and second locations of the second length of material.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a location of attachment is defined where the second length of material is attached to the third length of material and the second length of material intersects the third length of material at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.

These and other objects and embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container carrying apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the container carrying apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a container carrying apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein. The container carrying apparatus 10 includes a loop 12 of material, a shoulder strap 14 and a support strap 16. Preferably, but not necessarily, the loop 12 consists of a first length of material, the shoulder strap 14 consists of a second length of material and a support strap 16 consists of a third length of material. Preferably, but not necessarily, the loop 12, the shoulder strap 14 and the support strap 16 are made from respective lengths of a commercially available webbed material. Woven nylon straps that exhibit essentially non-elastic properties are examples of such lengths of a commercially available webbed material.

The loop 12 is configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container 18. The shoulder strap 14 is attached to the loop 12. The support strap 16 is attached to the loop 12 and to the shoulder strap 14. A first location of the shoulder strap 14 is attached to a first location of the loop 12, which is generally denoted at reference numeral 20. A second location of the shoulder strap 14 is attached to a second location of the loop 12, which is generally denoted at reference numeral 22. The support strap 16 is attached at opposing ends thereof (i.e., a first end 24 and a second end 26) to the loop 12. The first end 24 of the support strap 16 (i.e., a first one of the opposing ends) is attached at a third location (i.e., generally denoted at reference numeral 28) of the loop 12. The second end 26 of the support strap (i.e., a second one of the opposing ends) is attached at a fourth location (i.e., generally denoted at reference numeral 30) of the loop 12. Preferably, but not necessarily, all of the locations (i.e., 20, 22, 28, 30) of the loop 12 are spaced from each adjacent one of the locations by approximately a common distance.

The support strap 16 is attached at a location intermediate its opposing ends to a location (i.e., generally denoted at reference numeral 32) of the shoulder strap 14 intermediate the first location 20 and the second location 22 of the shoulder strap. In this manner, the loop 12, the shoulder strap 14 and the support strap 16 jointly define a receptacle 34 for receiving the container (i.e., the container receptacle 34). Preferably, but not necessarily, the location 32 of the shoulder strap 14 intermediate its first location 20 and second location 22 is approximately equidistant between its first location 20 and second location 22. The location 32 of the support strap 16 intermediate its opposing ends is approximately equidistant between its opposing ends. Accordingly, a location of attachment is defined where the shoulder strap 14 is attached to the support strap 16. Preferably, but not necessarily, the shoulder strap 14 intersects the support strap 16 at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.

In summary, preferred embodiments of container carrying apparatuses in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein are comprised essentially of lengths of webbed material. The lengths of webbing are arranged and connected to wrap around a middle portion and a bottom portion of the container and extend into a strap that can be worn on the shoulder. The lengths of webbing extend at least partially down the sides of the container and intersect each other in an X-configuration at the bottom of the container. In one embodiment, the webbing is preferably, but not necessarily, about 0.5 to about 1.5″ wide woven nylon strap material and a buckle is provides for enabling the shoulder strap to be adjustable.

It is disclosed herein that one or more of the lengths of material may be made from a material that exhibits substantial elastomeric properties. In this manner, the container receptacle may receive containers of significantly or nominally different sizes (i.e., being self adjusting for different size containers). Similarly, the loop 12, the shoulder strap 14 and/or the support strap 16 may have an elastomeric member (e.g., a length of elastomeric material) incorporated therewith for enabling such self-adjusting capability.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the various attachments are facilitated by known means such as sewing, thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding or the like.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A container carrying apparatus, comprising: a loop of material configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container; a shoulder strap attached to the loop, wherein a first location of the shoulder strap is attached to a first location of the loop and a second location of the shoulder strap is attached to a second location of the loop; and a support strap attached to the loop and to the shoulder strap, wherein the support strap is attached at opposing ends thereof to the loop and is attached at a location intermediate said opposing ends to a location of the shoulder strap intermediate the first location and the second location of the shoulder strap, whereby the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap jointly define a receptacle for receiving the container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap are made from respective lengths of a webbed material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a first one of said opposing ends is attached at a third location of the loop; a second one of said opposing ends is attached at a fourth location of the loop; and all of said locations of the loop are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the location of the support strap intermediate said opposing ends is approximately equidistant between said ends; and the location of the shoulder strap intermediate its first location and its second location is approximately equidistant between its first location and its second location.
 5. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a location of attachment is defined where the shoulder strap is attached to the support strap; and the shoulder strap intersects the support strap at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the loop, the shoulder strap and the support strap are made from respective lengths of a webbed material; a first one of said opposing ends is attached at a third location of the loop; a second one of said opposing ends is attached at a fourth location of the loop; all of said locations of the loop are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance; the location of the support strap intermediate said opposing ends is approximately equidistant between said ends; the location of the shoulder strap intermediate its first location and its second location is approximately equidistant between its first location and its second location; a location of attachment is defined where the shoulder strap is attached to the support strap; and the shoulder strap intersects the support strap at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.
 7. A container carrying apparatus, comprising: a first length of material; a second length of material attached at a first location thereof to a first location of the first length of material and at a second location thereof to a second location of the first length of material; a third length of material attached at a first location thereof to a third location of the first length of material, at a second location thereof to a fourth location of the first length of material and at a third location thereof to a third location of the second length of material, whereby through such attachments the first length of material defines a loop of material configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container and said lengths of material jointly define a receptacle for receiving the container.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein all of said lengths of material are made from respective lengths of a webbed material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein all of said locations of the first length of material are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the third location of the third length of material is approximately equidistant between the first and the second locations of the third length of material; and the third length of material is attached at its third location to the second length of material at a location of the second length of material approximately equidistant between the first and second locations of the second length of material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: a location of attachment is defined where the second length of material is attached to the third length of material; and the second length of material intersects the third length of material at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: all of said lengths of material are made from respective lengths of a webbed material; all of said locations of the first length of material are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance; the third location of the third length of material is approximately equidistant between the first and the second locations of the third length of material; the third length of material is attached at its third location to the second length of material at a location of the second length of material approximately equidistant between the first and second locations of the second length of material; a location of attachment is defined where the second length of material is attached to the third length of material; and the second length of material intersects the third length of material at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.
 13. A container carrying apparatus, comprising: a container receptacle comprised by a plurality of lengths of material; and a carrying strap comprised by at least one of said lengths of material.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the container receptacle includes: a first length of material; a second length of material attached at a first location thereof to a first location of the first length of material and at a second location thereof to a second location of the first length of material; a third length of material attached at a first location thereof to a third location of the first length of material, at a second location thereof to a fourth location of the first length of material and at a third location thereof to a third location of the second length of material, whereby the first length of material defines a loop of material configured for encompassing a perimeter of a container and said lengths of material jointly define the container receptacle.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein all of said lengths of material are made from respective lengths of a webbed material.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein all of said locations of the first length of material are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the third location of the third length of material is approximately equidistant between the first and the second locations of the third length of material; and the third length of material is attached at its third location to the second length of material at a location of the second length of material approximately equidistant between the first and second locations of the second length of material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: a location of attachment is defined where the second length of material is attached to the third length of material; and the second length of material intersects the third length of material at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: all of said lengths of material are made from respective lengths of a webbed material; all of said locations of the first length of material are spaced from each adjacent one of said locations by approximately a common distance; the third location of the third length of material is approximately equidistant between the first and the second locations of the third length of material; the third length of material is attached at its third location to the second length of material at a location of the second length of material approximately equidistant between the first and second locations of the second length of material; a location of attachment is defined where the second length of material is attached to the third length of material; and the second length of material intersects the third length of material at the location of attachment in an approximately perpendicular orientation. 